Qatar, hosting this year’s UN climate talks, has launched its solar energy program, aiming to hit its target, announced in May of 10% of its electric power from renewables by 2018. This would require about 1.5gw of production capacity (MEES, 28 May).
It is preparing to tender its first 200mw solar power project in the first quarter of 2013, the country’s Minister of Energy and Industry Muhammad al-Sada said at the summit, which ends on 7 December. Solar plants can be built in two years. Qatar will produce 1.8gw of power by 2020, he said. It wants to conserve its gas supplies in the North Field and fulfill its pledge of a carbon neutral 2022 soccer World Cup. (CONTINUED - 337 WORDS)
